I’m part of the Carmel Middle School Environmental Club. On Nov. 8, the club hosted a Carpool/Bike to School Day. We decided to do this because we want to lower climate change. Not only does climate change affect us, but it affects wildlife such as polar bears. Not only was it immensely successful, but we saved an extraordinary amount of carbon emissions from the atmosphere! The lowest estimate is 80 pounds. We almost doubled the number of carpools (+80 percent) and the number of bikes increased by 150 percent. As a group, we urge you to choose a better mode of transportation than a car, whenever possible. This will affect the future generation, this could be your children, grandchildren, or relatives. What type of world would you like them to live in? One filled with pollution? Or one where people are stopping climate change in its tracks?

— Casey Cortez, Grade 8, Carmel Middle School

Credit for market highs should go to Obama

Bravo to the stock market for achieving new heights, it benefits us all except, perhaps, the homeless and destitute. But, if we are to be fair-minded, we have to accept that these record numbers are primarily due to former president Barack Obama. Under his quiet and steady administration the stock market value nearly tripled from when he took over from the previous Republican administration. When the market triples under the current administration then, and only then, will they be able to legitimately crow about the numbers.

— David Ligare, Corral de Tierra

Resolving to go Trumpless in 2018

We are now wishing one another, “Peace on earth, good will to men.” Unfortunately, peace appears elusive and good will scarce. If you doubt that, just read The Herald’s front page, watch the nightly news, or eavesdrop on any adult conversation.

Any year-end assessment is a matter of focus. The economy seems sound, we are presently not at war, etc. However, nations continue to arm themselves with horrendous nuclear weapons, we continue to pollute a warming globe, etc.

While most children are narcissistic by nature, severe narcissism at 70 is pathological. And you can’t effect a narcissist by attacking him … any attentions, good or bad, is enjoyed. Ignoring him is the only punishment he can’t tolerate.

So, here’s a suggested New Year resolution: let us all, media and individuals, make every other day in 2018 Trump-less. For 24 hours let’s ignore his childish tweets, his outrageous photo opps, his awkward bill signings. Giving him this corner time would provide us with at least 182 days of peace, good will, and a Happier New Year.

— Mel Spehn, Carmel Valley

Taxing meat would provide numerous benefits

With Congressional Republicans rushing to place a new tax bill on President’s Trump’s desk before Christmas, here comes the respected British publication The Guardian suggesting a new source of tax revenue — meat. Yes, a tax on meat, to beat the health and climate crises.

The concept is hardly radical. We already pay taxes on tobacco, alcohol, sugary sodas, plastic bags, and other consumables that afflict the public health and other social costs.

The revenue would reimburse Medicare, Medicaid and other government health care programs for treating victims of chronic diseases that have been linked conclusively with consumption of animal products. It would contribute to the costs of restoring air and water quality and wildlife habitats that have been devastated by production of these items.

Benjamin Franklin noted that nothing is certain except death and taxes. However, death can be deferred substantially by taxing the very products that make us sick.

— Martin Clayman, Monterey

Must be time for stock market to boom

Newt Gingrich lives in Rome on the taxpayer’s dime, a Da Vinci painting is purchased by the Saudis for $450,000, Sarah Huckabee Sanders offers John Lewis a lesson on civil rights, and POTUS casually disrupts Middle East peace for no apparent reason, so it must be time for large corporations and the obscenely wealthy to get a tax break. Who cares? The stock market is booming! Happy Festivus!